LONG PRAIRIE, Minn. — A former Minnesota Vikings player and his wife were found dead at their rural home, and their 22-year-old son is being sought as a suspect.

Barry Bennett and his wife, Carol, died under “suspicious circumstances,” the Todd County sheriff’s office said. Both were 63 years old.

The bodies were found after the agency received a call around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday from a friend who was concerned that Bennett hadn’t returned calls or texts since the previous day.

In the course of the investigation, authorities identified the suspect as Dylan John Bennett, the couple’s son. He had been living at the home in Long Prairie, a city of about 3,500 midway between Minneapolis and Fargo, North Dakota.

Investigators say Dylan Bennett may have fled the state. He is believed to be driving a blue 2018 Hyundai Sante Fe with a Minnesota license plate of BCK-487.

“Based on information gathered during the investigation, it is determined that there is no threat to public safety at this time,” said Todd County Sheriff Steve Och in a statement.

Barry Bennett played 11 seasons as a defensive lineman in the NFL, mostly for the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets and for one year with the Vikings.

Before that, he played from 1974 to 1978 for Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, under longtime coach Jim Christopherson. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Saints.

He was also a champion wrestler, winning three national titles in the NAIA and NCAA Division III tournaments.

Bennett had retired as a gym teacher and a football and wrestling coach in the Long Prairie school district.

Christopherson said Thursday night that he and his wife were “stunned” by the deaths.

He said he hunted deer with Bennett in recent years.

“They were quality people,” he said about the Bennetts.

Christopherson said the couple raised six children; the youngest two — including Dylan — were adopted. He said Dylan had just graduated from Bemidji State University and had found a job in China.

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